National Hardwood Magazine - Christmas 2022

NHLA: Why Knot....
TALK RELIGION
No matter what you believe, wood was
there. Wood plays a major role in most religions.
Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike
believe that when Adam and Eve left the
Garden of Eden, they built a shelter to stay
in, tools to till the ground, and fire to cook
their food. Using wood would be critical to
all those tasks. Noah built the Ark out of
Gopher Wood and Pitched it (the first-ever
reference of preserving wood). Abraham's tent most
likely had wood poles like the “rods of green Poplar and
of the Hazel and Chestnut tree.” Jacob peeled and used
the water troughs to grow his misfit flocks. Moses used
Shittim Wood to build the tabernacle and ark. Jesus was
raised by a carpenter and was crucified on a wooden
cross.
Wood is critical to our current society’s culture, history,
and progress, and needs to be promoted for being the
foundation for life on earth. Even those that only believe
in evolution acknowledge that large-brained Homo erectus
made wooden tools. The world owes wood a debt of
gratitude and it owes woodworkers appreciation for the
quality of life that they enjoy.
So, let’s talk about it. At home, at school, at work, and
at church. We need to constantly be talking about wood.
We all love it, but we are not very good at
showing that love to others. I was touring
Hardwood plants and met Burt Craig. He
asked me, “Are you a Mormon?” (correct
title - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday
Saints) I replied, “yes.” And he said to
me, “God bless the Mormons and their 11
commandments.” This was news to me,
and I asked what he thought our 11th commandment
was. He replied, “Thou shalt make thy pews
out of Red Oak.” Not only did I get a laugh, but I realized
he was right. I had never thought of it before, but the
Church uses Red Oak for all its benches, podiums, walls,
and organs. They also use Hardwoods for their pianos
and gym floors. I am sure the same can be said for many
other religions.
Almost every person on the planet uses wood every
day and the National Hardwood Lumber Association is
giving 5 percent of members’ dues to the Real American
Hardwood Coalition and working alongside other
allied industry associations to bring Hardwood out of
overlooked obscurity. We have several issues that we
need to solve to promote the use and respect of Hardwoods.
They are, raising funds and getting attention. You
have heard from me and many others about donating to
Please turn to page 74
A fourth-generation
family business.
That has a nice ring to it.
Greentree Forest Products is a locally owned
family business producing approximately
22 million board feet of quality Appalachian
hardwood lumber per year. Since 1952
and four generations of know-how, our
steadfast commitment to excellence
continues to run in the family.
Learn more at greentreeforest.com
BY DALLIN BROOKS,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATION,
MEMPHIS, TN,
901-399-7560
WWW.NHLA.COM
20 CHRISTMAS 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE